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With all of the debate, not only in this forum but elsewhere across America, as to whether or not the Republicans are 'playing the race card' in their promotion of various bits of legislation which disproportionately affect minorities, some might actually see that race is a real problem for the GOP. The demographics are changing and some folks don't like it. Whether you think it is racism or not, there are many Americans of European descent who fear living in a nation where they have become the minority. They may not advocate blatant racial discrimination but all too often they remain silent in the face of actions by a more virulent minority of their number.
The question then becomes - Can brown and black work together in opposition to well-funded white groups refusing to cede their place at the top of society, even as the whites become a smaller percentage of the population? Or could we have a situation as during the 'good ol' days' when the powerful elites in the South suppressed the labour movement by promoting racism amongst poor whites and as a result both poor whites and blacks were screwed.
This election could be Republicans’ last chance
At present some 63 per cent of the American population is white. But, by around 2040, the country is likely to be “majority-minority”. Hispanics currently represent 16 per cent of the American population. But 26 per cent of babies in the US last year were born to Hispanic families.
The Republicans risk getting trapped in a vicious circle. Because so many voters in their primaries are elderly “Anglos”, who are upset by the changing demographics of the US, candidates for the Republican nomination are more or less compelled to adopt hardline stances on immigration.
An inability to attract the votes of ethnic minorities in general – and Hispanics in particular – is a big disadvantage to the Republicans in this election but one the Romney-Ryan ticket could yet overcome. In future elections, it could be fatal. Mr Romney faces a very tough battle in the coming months. Future Republican candidates may conclude that he had it easy.
The question then becomes - Can brown and black work together in opposition to well-funded white groups refusing to cede their place at the top of society, even as the whites become a smaller percentage of the population? Or could we have a situation as during the 'good ol' days' when the powerful elites in the South suppressed the labour movement by promoting racism amongst poor whites and as a result both poor whites and blacks were screwed.